Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration by experienced pulmonologists: a cusum analysis.

Endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS TBNA) is an established, minimally invasive way to sample intrathoracic abnormalities. The EBUS scope can be passed into the oesophagus to perform endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA). In cases of suspected lung cancer, a combination of the two techniques is now recommended by consensus guidelines. EBUS TBNA is usually performed by pulmonologists; however, the learning curve for EUS-B-FNA, which may be performed during the same procedure, has not been described.A multicentre, observational Australian study, using prospectively collected data from three experienced pulmonologists was conducted. Cumulative sum (cusum) analysis was used to generate visual learning curves.A total of 152 target lesions were sampled in 137 patients, with an overall sensitivity for malignancy of 94.8%. The sensitivity for malignant lesions outside of the 2009 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer lymph node map (largely intraparenchymal lesions) was 92.9%. All three operators were competent by conventional cusum criteria. There was one case of pneumothorax, and no episodes of mediastinitis or oesophageal perforation were observed.Our data suggest that experienced pulmonologists can safely and accurately perform EUS-B-FNA, with a high diagnostic sensitivity for both lymph node and non-nodal lesions.

Pulmonologist-performed transoesophageal sampling for lung cancer staging using an endobronchial ultrasound video-bronchoscope: an Australian experience.

BACKGROUND: Transoesophageal endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) video-bronchoscope insertion provides pulmonologists access to conduct endoscopic fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) of mediastinal lymph node (LN) lesions and also assist in lung cancer staging by sampling left adrenal gland (LAG) lesions. Limited literature has described additional diagnostic value whilst maintaining patient safety. To elicit whether combining endoscopic transoesophageal fine-needle aspiration using convex probe bronchoscope (EUS-B-FNA) and EBUS bronchoscopy enhances the diagnostic yield of mediastinal nodal staging in lung cancer, whilst maintaining safety. METHODS: All eligible patients with paraoesophageal lesions on thoracic computed tomography (CT) underwent pulmonologist-performed EUS-B-FNA at two tertiary centres and were included in this prospective observational cohort study. RESULTS: EUS-B-FNA sampling was performed at 69 mediastinal LN lesion sites, including 17 sites inaccessible to bronchoscopic sampling. Four LAG lesions were sampled via EUS-B-FNA. There were no complications. EBUS-TBNA was augmented by EUS-B-FNA because of accessibility of sampling lesions otherwise unamenable bronchoscopically, thereby increasing diagnostic utility. Diagnostic sensitivity of EUS-B-FNA for malignancy in mediastinal LN lesions was 88% (51 of 58). For mediastinal LN lesions not amenable to EBUS-TBNA, the sensitivity for diagnosis of malignancy via EUS-B-FNA was 88% (15 of 17). Diagnostic sensitivity of EUS-B-FNA for malignancy in LAG lesions was 50% (2 of 4). CONCLUSION: EUS-B-FNA is a precise and safe approach in the evaluation and staging of lung cancer when performed by a pulmonologist. It complements and increases the diagnostic utility of EBUS-TBNA by further coverage of mediastinal LN stations and access to LAG lesions.

Lung diffusing capacity in adult bronchiectasis: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies described a progressive decline in lung volumes in adult bronchiectasis. Interstitial lung disease is also a feature of bronchiectasis, but whether this is associated with a decline in lung diffusing capacity (measured as the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide [D(LCO)]) is not well known. OBJECTIVE: To assess longitudinal decline in diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(LCO)) in adult bronchiectasis. METHODS: Sixty-one subjects had a detailed baseline clinical and laboratory assessment, then were followed regularly with clinical and lung-function assessment for a median 7 years. RESULTS: Baseline spirometry demonstrated mild obstructive lung disease, with a mean FEV(1) of 72% of predicted, mean forced vital capacity 87% of predicted, and normal D(LCO) (mean D(LCO) 88% of predicted, and mean D(LCO) adjusted for alveolar volume [D(LCO)/V(A)] 100% of predicted). There was an accelerated decline in D(LCO) and D(LCO)/V(A) over the 7-year period. The median D(LCO) decline was 2.9% of predicted per year (95% CI 2.3-4.1% of predicted per year). The median D(LCO)/V(A) decline was 2.4% of predicted per year (95% CI 2.1-4.0% of predicted per year). There was a significant relationship between D(LCO) decline and age and decline in FEV(1). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients with bronchiectasis there was a progressive D(LCO) decline.

Pulmonologist-Performed Per-Esophageal Needle Aspiration of Parenchymal Lung Lesions Using an EBUS Bronchoscope: Diagnostic Utility and Safety.

BACKGROUND: Transesophageal introduction of the endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) videobronchoscope allows pulmonologists to perform endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) of mediastinal lesions. Safety, diagnostic accuracy, and feasibility of EUS-B-FNA in evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal lesions are not established. METHODS: All patients undergoing pulmonologist-performed EUS-B-FNA of parenchymal lung lesions at 2 tertiary centers were included in this prospective observational cohort study. RESULTS: EUS-B-FNA sampling of parenchymal lesions was performed in 27 patients. Mean (±SD) lesion size was 36±16 mm. Seven lesions were ≤18 mm. Pneumothorax occurred in 1 patient (3.7%, 95% confidence interval, 0.001%-19%). Ten target lesions (36%) were in locations inaccessible to bronchoscopic sampling via the airways, and 9 lesions were inaccessible to EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration and in locations associated with low diagnostic yield from radial EBUS. EUS-B-FNA was diagnostic in 26 patients (96%), and sensitivity of EUS-B-FNA was 100% (95% confidence interval, 87%-100%) for both lung cancer (n=21) and for pulmonary metastatic lesions (n=5). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonologist-performed EUS-B-FNA is safe and accurate in the evaluation parenchymal lung lesions. Diagnostic accuracy is high. EUS-B-FNA may achieve access to sites not amenable to other forms of bronchoscopic sampling, or increase diagnostic accuracy in patients where anatomic position predicts a low diagnostic yield.

Deoxyribonuclease 1 reduces pathogenic effects of cigarette smoke exposure in the lung.

Our aim was to investigate if deoxyribonuclease (DNase) 1 is a potential therapeutic agent to reduce pathogenic effects of cigarette smoke exposure in the lung. Cigarette smoke causes protease imbalance with excess production of proteases, which is a key process in the pathogenesis of emphysema. The mechanisms responsible for this effect are not well-defined. Our studies demonstrate both in vitro and in vivo that cigarette smoke significantly increases the expression of neutrophil and macrophage extracellular traps with coexpression of the pathogenic proteases, neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloproteinases 9 and 12. This response to cigarette smoke was significantly reduced by the addition of DNase 1, which also significantly decreased macrophage numbers and lung proteolysis. DNase 1, a treatment currently in clinical use, can diminish the pathogenic effects of cigarette smoke.

Primary tracheobronchial amyloidosis associated with tracheobronchomegaly evaluated by novel four-dimensional functional CT.

Amyloid is a heterogeneous family of extracellular proteinaceous deposits characterized by apple-green birefringence on polarized light microscopy. There are rare case reports of these extracellular deposits accumulating in the upper and central airways. Progressive infiltration may impair glottic and airway function with some cases requiring intervention to improve flow. Bronchoscopy and lung function testing provide dynamic information to monitor for disease progression; however, the recent development of 320 multislice computed tomography (320 CT) enables dynamic, four-dimensional (4-D) evaluation of laryngeal and tracheal structure and function and presents as a noninvasive, low-radiation dose surveillance tool. We reviewed a 43-year-old man with primary amyloidosis of the larynx and central airways who presented with an 18-year history of progressive dysphonia without breathlessness and preserved lung function. 4-D CT demonstrated marked thickening of supraglottic folds and trachea with marked tracheal dilatation. Despite gross structural abnormalities, dynamic function assessed throughout inspiration and expiration was normal, demonstrating neither rigidity nor dynamic collapse. This combination of structural and functional assessment of the proximal airway by 4-D CT is a novel application to surveillance for laryngeal and tracheal amyloid.